La aplicación ETA de Australia: lo que deben saber los responsables de grupo

Australia's Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) — the visa equivalent for short-stay visitors from around 35 eligible countries — has fully transitioned to the AustralianETA mobile app. The change has been in effect for some time now, but we still see groups arriving without having completed it correctly, which causes avoidable delays at check-in.

The process itself is fast: travellers download the official AustralianETA app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, scan their passport's biometric chip, take a selfie for facial verification, and pay the AU$20 service charge. Approval is typically granted within minutes, though the Department of Home Affairs advises allowing up to 12 hours for processing.

For group travel, two issues come up repeatedly. First, the app will only work on a phone with NFC capability — older or budget handsets sometimes can't read the passport chip. Second, each traveller must apply individually using their own device; there is no consolidated group application.

Our recommendation is to send a clear pre-departure brief at least three weeks before flights. Include screenshots of the official app (beware unofficial third-party sites charging up to AU$80 for the same service), and ask each guest to confirm in writing that their ETA has been granted before they travel to the airport.

Once granted, the ETA is valid for 12 months and permits multiple stays of up to three months at a time — making it convenient for guests who may join you for an Australia-only itinerary and return later for an extended self-drive holiday.